Guangxi

Map

Key data

Items shown in Chinese are kept from the original Chinese source; no English name is available yet.

Highlights

Introduction

• The karst wonders of Guilin, Yangshuo and the Li River.

History

• Guangxi was known in ancient times as "Bagui" and "Lingyou"; in the pre-Qin period it was the land of the Baiyue, and in the Qin dynasty Guilin Commandery was established, from which the name Guilin derives. Since the Han dynasty, Lingnan's ties with the Central Plains grew ever closer, and Hepu was one of the important departure ports of the Maritime Silk Road. In the Song dynasty Guangxi belonged to Guangnan West Circuit, and the name "Guangxi" has been used ever since; during the Ming and Qing dynasties Guilin long remained Guangxi's administrative and cultural center. In modern times the peoples of Guangxi have lived together on this land, and Zhuang culture has continued without interruption. Today, as an open gateway facing ASEAN, Guangxi is showing new vitality.

Culture

• Guangxi is home to many ethnic groups, with the Han and ethnic minorities such as the Zhuang living in harmony. The Zhuang's antiphonal singing culture is especially famous, and the legend of the "Singing Fairy" Liu Sanjie is known to every household. Zhuang brocade, embroidered balls, and bronze drums are iconic symbols of Zhuang culture. The local cuisine is sour and spicy and appetizing, with local specialties such as Guilin rice noodles and luosifen taking the country by storm. Local operas such as Gui opera, Caidiao, and Zhuang opera each have their own characteristics, and ancient sites such as the Huashan rock paintings showcase the wisdom of ancient ancestors. During the Third Month Third Song Festival on the lunar calendar, people of all ethnic groups sing antiphonally and toss embroidered balls in a lively atmosphere, making it the best time to experience Zhuang customs.

Science & Technology

• Guangxi is home to higher education institutions such as Guangxi University and Guilin University of Electronic Technology, and its strength in science and education is steadily improving. Nanning, Guilin and other places have established national-level high-tech zones and a number of research platforms, forming R&D advantages in fields such as mechanical equipment, nonferrous metals, biomedicine and new materials. Yuchai, Liugong and others are equipment manufacturing brands well known at home and abroad. Platforms such as the information port oriented toward ASEAN continue to advance, and new fields such as BeiDou applications and the digital economy keep expanding, injecting scientific and technological momentum into Guangxi's development.

Economy

• In 2025, Guangxi's GDP reached 297.2745 billion yuan. Its pillar industries include sugar refining, nonferrous metals, machinery and equipment, automobiles, and green food; sugar output has long ranked among the highest in the country, earning it the title "China's Sugar Capital." The three major ports of Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, and Beihai on the Beibu Gulf form an important sea outlet, with port-based industry and the marine economy thriving. The cultural and tourism industries of Guilin and Nanning are flourishing, driving consumption growth. With the advancement of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, Guangxi is becoming an important hub connecting China and ASEAN.